In the United States, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) in the Treasury Department is involved in efforts to curtail smuggling and trafficking. In the past 10 years, there has been a trend for increased international criminal networks, with cigarette trafficking and smuggling as one of the top commodity crimes.
Smuggling of cigarettes is both a revenue concern and a public health concern. Smuggled cigarettes are frequently sold at below-market prices, which undermines increasing prices as a means to curtail consumption. Smuggling also denies governments of tax revenue that could be used for purposes such as public health protection. Additionally, smuggled cigarettes often do not comply with the various health regulations, including labeling requirements, and disclosure of additives.
In view of this known criminal activity revolving around cigarette smuggling, the United States Government is committed to supporting the development of a protocol in the Framework Convention with strong measures to curb smuggling.
The worldwide growth in large-scale organized cigarette smuggling is largely aided by the lack of control on the international movement of tax-free tobacco products and by transnational criminal organizations with sophisticated distribution networks. It is evident that a country cannot effectively tackle organized cigarette smuggling in isolation. A successfully negotiated Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) with a comprehensive anti-smuggling component will assist countries in meeting their domestic tobacco control policies and goals by reducing the threat of international tobacco smuggling.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session the participants in this session will be able to understand the relationship between smuggling of tobacco products and health and identify the steps that governments can take to eliminate smuggling.
Keywords: Tobacco Policy,
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: U.S. government
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: U.S. government employee